Singapore Airlines 2016 Annual Report Download - page 41

Air cargo demand grew at a slower pace in FY2015/16
compared to the previous year, partly due to the
economic and trade slowdown in China and other
emerging Asian economies. Despite these challenges,
certain market segments that continued to see good
growth include e-commerce, aerospace and healthcare.
SIA Cargo actively pursued air cargo demand from
these areas during the year in review.
SIA Cargo’s aircra fleet expanded to nine Boeing
747-400 freighters in October 2015 aer the return of
one freighter from the lessee at the end of the agreed
lease period. With a larger freighter fleet, additional
flights were operated to the Americas, Europe and
Australia during the year-end peak period. For passenger
bellyhold capacity, network connectivity within the
Asia Pacific region was enhanced with the incorporation
of SilkAir’s and NokScoot’s flights from April 2015 and
May 2015 respectively.
In the healthcare segment, SIA Cargo embarked on the
certification process for its pharmaceutical handling
under IATA’s Centre of Excellence for Independent
Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma).
Currently in the pioneer phase, the Changi CEIV
Community programme launched in March 2016 is
co-funded by Changi Airport Group, with participation
from a ground handling agent and several freight
forwarding agents. The CEIV Pharma certification, which
is recognised by major pharmaceutical companies, will
help to ensure excellence in cool-chain pharmaceutical
handling in the Singapore hub.
During the year in review, SIA Cargo was also involved in
the transportation of equipment for several high-profile
events, such as concert equipment for international pop
sensation, Madonna; high-value racing vehicles and
equipment for international motorsports events; and
relief goods to Fiji in the aermath of Cyclone Winston.
Besides driving sales in the various key segments, SIA
Cargo continues to invest in developing capabilities to
better meet the growing needs of customers, leveraging
on technology to deliver an enhanced level of customer
service. For example, SIA Cargo’s corporate website has
been enhanced to enable optimal viewing on mobile
devices, allowing customers to receive direct updates on
the status of their shipments more conveniently.
As of March 2016, SIA Cargo’s electronic airwaybill
(e-AWB) penetration rate on feasible trade lanes was
55.2 per cent. To date, SIA Cargo has implemented
e-AWB at 45 stations within the SIA Cargo network,
leading to improved data accuracy of shipments and a
reduction in the volume of paper airwaybills. SIA Cargo
will continue to support industry e-AWB eorts and
drive the implementation of e-AWB across its network.
As part of its corporate social responsibility eorts,
SIA Cargo provided assistance to its adopted charity,
Singapore Children’s Society, through corporate
funding and employee volunteering. In addition,
SIA Cargo continued to support the Singapore Zoo
and Jurong Bird Park with the transportation of live
animals to zoos around the world. In the area of arts
and heritage, SIA Cargo was honoured to be selected to
transport valuable and rare art pieces, which required
delicate handling, for several international exhibitions
and museums.
Amongst the awards received in 2015, SIA Cargo was
named “Best Air Cargo Carrier in Asia” at the Asian
Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards.
Aircra fleet
expanded to
9
Boeing 747-400
freighter aircra
As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts,
SIA Cargo provided assistance to its adopted charity,
Singapore Children’s Society, through corporate
funding and employee volunteering.
Annual Report FY2015/16 39